My wife and I will be dropping by Hanoi on the way home from Singapore and Bali for our summer season travel. I have heard mixed reports and can't find anything that seems reliable.
Is it easy for a UK and a US passport holder to get a visa on arrival in Hanoi, and what is the actual procedure? Is it signing up to something online first, or, as some have said, just filling out a paper and some forms on arrival?
Want to make sure we do the right thing.

For UK citizen, you will get Visa exemption for 15 days to Vietnam so no need to apply VOA letter. US citizen you can get VOA letter online, it is quite cheap - we paid 9 USD for single entry then pay stamp fee at airport 25 USD - only need to fill on their VOA, then they will send you back VOA letter, print it out and show at immigration. You can check out with: http://indochinabesttravel.com/en

As mentioned above, UK citizens get a visa exemption.

As of 1 Feb 2017, US citizens can apply online for an e-visa....no more letters and VOAs, unless you want to spend 30-45 mins waiting for your VOA to be processed at the airport. My e-visa took less than 24 hours to obtain. Cost is $25 for a 30 day, single entry visa.

Go here to apply for the e-visa: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/

There are few places where being a UK passport holder is a joy. But Vietnam, on a short visit, is one of them. No visa, no fuss at all.

OP - When is your travel plan to Vietnam?

The current visa waiver policy for UK and several other European countries for stay not exceeding 15 days will expire on 30-June-2017 unless extended by the government.

http://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english...hp/items/10637

At the bottom of the article, there is a link to view the actual decree in English translation.

The VOA process at HAN has greatly improved (much better than HCMC). I've been using www.visa4vietnam.com for my VOA letter for many years. Carriers serving Vietnam require some form of documentation for Vietnam for those who are not exempt - most will refuse boarding without this.

Carriers accept a VOA letter as proof? Does such a letter look official enough for that?

Yes, China Airlines at JFK accepted the VOA letter and I was glad I had it, they wanted something!

How about JAL?

There are online companies that will process a VOA for a fee, some will aggregate a dozen travelers names and passport info on one letter, others will issue a single letter VOA (more private). I did both, but prefer the more private letter, as I don't want my private info in the public--even if only a dozen people.


I've used Myvietnamvisapro.com twice already. They are the least expensive at $12 for 1-4 people VOA letters. I also found them very responsive to inquires -- responding back within a short time, and they also sent useful information along with the VOA. I would highly recommend them.


As for doing it all in Hanoi, my understanding is that you can't leave the airport until you have a visa, so if you don't go the VOA route, you need to get the visa at a consulate prior to your trip...not sure you can do the VOA at the airport itself.


Hope that helps.

Just a quick note the VOA letter is a kind of pre-approval letter, that and the Visa application need to be submitted with a $25 fee and your passport at the airport.

Emphatically YES! the airline has a LOT more to lose (wrt fines etc) than the boarding pax does.

Been there and done that wrt Mumbai immigration "Napoleon types" and Air India allowing me to board without "the appropriate at-the-time visa". Seems rules changes and AI and m"yours truly" did not know about those changes....

A few weeks ago I arrived at SGN with UK passport and got a VOA. Leaving KUL I had to show the airline I had a booked flight out of Vietnam within 15 days of arriving.

There was no fuss at the airport. I just showed my passport, they stamped it and I entered.